Image processing system enabling easy checking of ocr error image data, image forming apparatus, method of controlling image processing system, method of controlling image forming apparatus, and storage medium

ABSTRACT

A image processing system which make it possible to reduce user time and effort in checking OCR error image data. The image processing system performs OCR processing on image data generated by an image forming apparatus in response to selection of an object by a user and stores the image data in a folder having a folder name formed by using a character string obtained by the OCR processing. The system includes a storage control unit configured to store the image data, in a case where the character string obtained by performing the OCR processing on the generated image data does not satisfy a predetermined condition, in a folder associated with the object.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an image processing system, an imageforming apparatus, a method of controlling the image processing system,a method of controlling the image forming apparatus, and a storagemedium, which make it possible to easily check OCR error image data.

Description of the Related Art

Conventionally, there have been known an image processing systemincluding an image forming apparatus and a file server. In the imageprocessing system, the image forming apparatus reads a document togenerate image data, and transmits the generated image data to the fileserver. The file server stores the image data received from the imageforming apparatus in a shared folder provided therein and allowingviewing from a console section of the image forming apparatus. The fileserver manages image data of a plurality of types of documents differentin the format, such as medical interview sheets and medical diagnosissheets. In such a form of usage of the image processing system, with aview to improving the ease of search of image data by users, image datais subjected to a dividing process. In the dividing process, the imageforming apparatus performs OCR (optical character recognition)processing on each generated image data in a predetermined area thereoffrom which the type of a document can be identified (see e.g. JapaneseLaid-Open Patent Publication (Kokai) No. 2017-73591). The image formingapparatus sends the image data to the file server by designating afolder having a folder name including a character string obtained by theOCR processing, as a holder whether the image data is to be stored. Thefile server stores the image data in the designated folder. This enablesmanagement of image data by dividing them among folders associated withtypes of documents, respectively.

In the OCR processing, in a case where an OCR error has occurred inwhich no specific character string satisfying conditions for determininga designated folder can be obtained, image data in which the OCR errorhas occurred (hereinafter referred to as “OCR error image data”) isstored in a predetermined error folder. The OCR error image data isstored in the error folder and is then transferred to a suitable folderby the user.

Conventionally, however, if image data of other irrelevant types aremixed with the OCR error image data in the error folder, it is necessaryfor the user to open each image data stored in the error folder andcheck the contents thereof so as to determine a folder where OCR errorimage data is to be transferred. This costs the user time and effort.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides an image processing system, an imageforming apparatus, a method of controlling the image processing system,a method of controlling the image forming apparatus, and a storagemedium, which make it possible to reduce user time and effort inchecking OCR error image data.

In a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an imageprocessing system that performs OCR processing on an image datagenerated by an image forming apparatus and stores, in response toselection of an object by a user, the image data in a folder having afolder name formed by using a character string obtained by the OCRprocessing, comprising a storage control unit configured to store theimage data, in a case where the character string obtained by performingthe OCR processing on the generated image data does not satisfy apredetermined condition, in a folder associated with the object.

In a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an imageforming apparatus that reads a document to thereby generate an imagedata, performs OCR processing on the image data, and stores, in responseto selection of an object by a user, the image data in a folder having afolder name formed by using a character string obtained by the OCRprocessing, comprising a storage control unit configured to store theimage data, in a case where the character string obtained by performingthe OCR processing on the generated image data does not satisfy apredetermined condition, in a folder associated with the object.

In a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a methodof controlling an image processing system that performs OCR processingon an image data generated by an image forming apparatus and stores, inresponse to selection of an object by a user, the image data in a folderhaving a folder name formed by using a character string obtained by theOCR processing, comprising storing the image data, in a case where thecharacter string obtained by performing the OCR processing on thegenerated image data does not satisfy a predetermined condition, in afolder associated with the object.

In a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a methodof controlling an image forming apparatus that reads a document tothereby generate an image data, performs OCR processing on the imagedata, and stores, in response to selection of an object by a user, theimage data in a folder having a folder name formed by using a characterstring obtained by the OCR processing, comprising storing the imagedata, in a case where the character string obtained by performing theOCR processing on the generated image data does not satisfy apredetermined condition, in a folder associated with the object.

According to the present invention, it is possible to reduce user timeand effort in checking OCR error image data.

Further features of the present invention will become apparent from thefollowing description of exemplary embodiments (with reference to theattached drawings).

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram showing the configuration of animage processing system according to an embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram showing the configuration of animage forming apparatus appearing in FIG. 1 .

FIG. 3 is a view showing the appearance of a console section appearingin FIG. 2 .

FIG. 4 is a view showing an example of a management screen forregistering a dividing transmission button to be included in a homescreen appearing in FIG. 3 .

FIG. 5 is a view showing an example of a settings edit screen displayedon a display section of a PC appearing in FIG. 1 .

FIG. 6 is a view showing an example of an address selection screendisplayed on the display section of the PC appearing in FIG. 1 .

FIG. 7 is a view showing an example of display of the management screento which information on a medical interview sheet button has been added.

FIG. 8 is a view showing an example of display of the home screen towhich the medical interview sheet button has been added.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart of a dividing scan control process performed bythe image forming apparatus appearing in FIG. 1 .

FIGS. 10A and 10B are views useful in explaining determination in a stepS906 in FIG. 9 .

FIG. 11 is a diagram useful in explaining a storage destination whereimage data obtained by the dividing scan control process in FIG. 9 isstored.

FIGS. 12A and 12B are views showing examples of a notification screendisplayed on the console section appearing in FIG. 2 .

FIG. 13 is a view showing another example of the settings edit screendisplayed on the display section of the PC appearing in FIG. 1 .

FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing a variation of the dividing scan controlprocess in FIG. 9 .

FIG. 15 is a view showing a still another example of the settings editscreen displayed on the display section of the PC appearing in FIG. 1 .

FIG. 16 is a diagram useful in explaining a storage destination whereOCR error image data is stored.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

The present invention will now be described in detail below withreference to the accompanying drawings showing embodiments thereof. Itshould be noted that the embodiment described hereafter does not limitthe scope of the invention claimed in the appended claims and that notall of a combination of features of the embodiment are necessarilyessential as means for the solution by the invention.

FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram showing the configuration of animage processing system 100 according to the embodiment of the presentinvention. Referring to FIG. 1 , the image processing system 100 iscomprised of an image forming apparatus 101, a file server 102, a mailserver 103, and a PC 104. The image forming apparatus 101, the fileserver 102, the mail server 103, and the PC 104 are communicablyconnected to each other via a network 105. The Internet 106 is connectedto the network 105. Note that the network 105 may be configured suchthat the above-mentioned elements are connected thereto by wire or arewirelessly connected to an access point (not shown) thereof. The imageforming apparatus 101 is communicable with an online storage 107 via theInternet 106.

The image forming apparatus 101 generates image data by reading adocument, and transmits the image data to one of the file server 102,the mail server 103, and the online storage 107. The image data in theembodiment is electronic data formed by converting an image into RAWdata, electronic data in TIFF format, JPEG format, or the like imageformat, or electronic data in PDF format. The file server 102 iscompliant with FTP and SMB protocols, and stores image data receivedfrom the image forming apparatus 101 in folders provided in the fileserver 102. The user can view the image data in the folders from aconsole section 206, referred to hereinafter with reference to FIG. 2 ,or a display section (not shown) of the PC 104. The mail server 103 iscompliant with SMTP protocol. HTTP protocol makes it possible to view orupdate settings of the image forming apparatus 101 from the PC 104. Theonline storage 107 is compliant with WebDAV which is a file sharingprotocol using HTTP protocol.

FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram showing the configuration of theimage forming apparatus 101 appearing in FIG. 1 . Referring to FIG. 2 ,the image forming apparatus is comprised of a controller 200, theconsole section 206, a reader section 208, and a printer section 210.The controller 200 is connected to the console section 206, the readersection 208, and the printer section 210. Further, the controller 200 iscomprised of a CPU 201, a ROM 202, a RAM 203, a storage 204, a consolesection interface 205, a reader section interface 207, a printer sectioninterface 209, an external storage interface 211, and a communicationsection interface 213. The CPU, the ROM 202, the RAM 203, the storage204, the console section interface 205, the reader section interface207, the printer section interface 209, the external storage interface211, and the communication section interface 213 are connected to eachother via a bus 214.

The controller 200 controls the overall operation of the image formingapparatus 101. The CPU 201 reads control programs stored in the ROM 202or the storage 204 to perform various controls, such as reading controland printing control. The ROM 202 stores the control programs executedby the CPU 201. The ROM 202 also stores a boot program, font data, etc.The RAM 203 is a main memory of the CPU 201. The RAM 203 is used as awork area for the CPU 201, and also as a temporary storage area forloading the control programs stored in the ROM 202 and the storage 204.

The storage 204 stores image data, print data, address book data,programs, and settings data. Although in the embodiment, the storage 204is assumed to be a flash memory, this is not limitative, but the it maybe an SSD, an HDD, an eMMC or a like other auxiliary storage. Note thatthe image forming apparatus 101 is assumed to be configured such thatone CPU 201 performs processes, described hereinafter, using one RAM203, but may be otherwise configured. For example, a plurality of CPUS,RAMs, ROMs and storages may be caused to cooperate to execute theprocesses described hereinafter. Further, a hardware circuit, such as anASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) or an FPGA(Field-Programmable Gate Array), may be used to partially execute theprocesses.

The console section interface 205 connects the console section 206 andthe controller 200. The console section 206 displays information to theuser and receives an instruction input by the user e.g. for executing ajob. The reader section interface 207 connects the reader section 208and the controller 200. The reader section 208 reads an image on adocument and converts the image to image data of e.g. binary data. Theimage data generated by the reader section 208 is transmitted to theexternal storage device 212 for storage, or printed on a sheet. Theprinter section interface 209 connects the printer section 210 and thecontroller 200. The printer section interface 209 acquires image data asan object to be printed from the CPU 201 and transfers the acquiredimage data to the printer section 210. The printer section 210 prints animage on a sheet fed from a sheet feeder cassette (not shown).

The external storage interface 211 connects the external storage device212 and the controller 200. The external storage interface 211 acquiresimage data from the CPU 201 and stores the acquired image data in theexternal storage device 212. Although in the present embodiment, theexternal storage device 212 is assumed to be a USB memory, this is notlimitative, but it may be an SD card or the like. The communicationsection interface 213 performs data communication with an externaldevice connected via the network 105. For example, the communicationsection interface 213 transmits E-mails to the mail server 103. Further,the communication section interface 213 transmits image data to thefiler server 102 and the online storage server 107. For transmission ofthe image data, FTP, SMP, WebDAV, SMTP, or like other protocol is used.The communication section interface 213 transmits information on varioussettings of the image forming apparatus 101 to the PC 104. Further, thecommunication section interface 213 receives a request for referring toor changing settings of the image forming apparatus 101 using a Webserver application (not shown) from the PC 104.

FIG. 3 is a view showing the appearance of the console section 206appearing in FIG. 2 . The console section 206 is formed by a touch-paneldisplay. Further, the console section 206 includes a data LED 305 and anerror LED 306. The console section 206 displays various types ofscreens. For example, when the image forming apparatus 101 is startedup, the console section 206 displays a home screen 300. The home screen300 is a screen for prompting the user to select a function desired touse. The home screen 300 displays a scan button 301, an address bookbutton 302, a letter-of-introduction button 303, a home button 304, etc.which are associated with functions of the image forming apparatus 101,respectively.

The scan button 301 is used for giving an instruction for reading adocument to generate image data, to the image forming apparatus 101. Theaddress book button 302 is used for giving an instruction for displayingan address book management screen (not shown), to the image formingapparatus 101. On the address book management screen, destinationinformation of a destination to which image data is to be transmitted isset. The destination information includes transmission type informationindicating a transmission type, such as E-mail transmission, SMBtransmission, FTP transmission, and WebDAV transmission, address-relatedinformation, such as an E-mail server, a host name, and a server name,etc.

The letter-of-introduction button 303 is a dividing transmission button.The dividing transmission button is used for giving an instruction forexecuting a dividing scan process, to the image forming apparatus. Inthe dividing scan process, the image forming apparatus 101 reads adocument to generate image data, performs OCR processing on thegenerated image data in an OCR area thereof, referred to hereinafter,and transmits the image data to a folder having a folder name of acharacter string obtained by the OCR processing. The home button 304 isused for giving an instruction for displaying the home screen 300 on theconsole section 206, to the image forming apparatus 101, and is alwaysdisplayed on the console section 206. The data LED 305 and the error LED306 notifies the user of a status of the image forming apparatus 101.The data LED 305 is lit from the start of execution of an E-mailtransmission job or a file transmission job to the end thereof. Theerror LED 306 is lit when an error has occurred in the image formingapparatus 101.

Next, settings of the dividing transmission button will be described.FIG. 4 is a view showing an example of a management screen 400 forregistering a dividing transmission button included in the home screen300 appearing in FIG. 3 . The management screen 400 is displayed on thedisplay section of the PC 104 when the PC 104 is connected by HTTP tothe image forming apparatus 101 via a browser. The management screen 400includes an application name area 401, an application information area402, a new registration button 403, and a button information area 404.On the management screen 400, the user can view information on dividingtransmission buttons already registered.

The application name area 401 displays the name of an applicationprogram (dividing transmission scan application program) which isinvoked when a dividing transmission button associated therewith isdepressed. In FIG. 4 , the application name area 401 displays the name“dividing transmission scan”. The application information area 402displays a version of the dividing transmission scan applicationprogram. In FIG. 4 , the application information area 402 displays aversion number of 1.00. The new registration button 403 is a button fornewly creating a dividing transmission button. When the user selects thenew registration button 403, a settings edit screen 500, describedhereinafter with reference to FIG. 5 , is displayed on the displaysection of the PC 104.

The button information area 404 displays information on dividingtransmission buttons already registered. The button information area 404displays the items of a button name 405, a transmission type 406, and adisplay status 407, a switching button 408, and a delete button 409.Under the item of the button name 405, there is displayed the name ofthe registered dividing transmission button. When the user selects acharacter string displayed as the name of the registered dividingtransmission button, the settings edit screen 500 in FIG. 5 is displayedon the display section of the PC 104, in a state in which settingsassociated with the character string are set therein. Under the item ofthe transmission type 406, there is displayed a transmission type, suchas “file transmission”, which is set for the registered dividingtransmission button. Under the item of the display status 407, there isdisplayed information on whether the registered dividing transmissionbutton is to be displayed on the console section 206. A dividingtransmission button for which “display” is displayed as the displaystatus 407 is displayed on the console section 206, whereas a dividingtransmission button for which “not display” is displayed as the displaystatus 407 is not displayed on the console section 206. The switchingbutton 408 is a toggle switch for switching the display status 407between “display” and “not display”. The delete button 409 is used fordeleting the information registered for the dividing transmissionbutton.

FIG. 5 is a view showing an example of the settings edit screen 500displayed on the display section of the PC 104 appearing in FIG. 1 .Referring to FIG. 5 , the settings edit screen 500 (reception unit)includes an input field 501, a pull-down list box 502, a transmissiondestination area 503, a selection button 504, an error-time transmissiondestination area 505, and a selection button 506. The settings editscreen 500 further includes a pull-down list box 507, an input field508, an OCR area designation button 509, a reading settings button 510,an OK button 511, and a cancel button 512. The settings edit screen 500receives a request for setting settings associated with a dividingtransmission button.

The input field 501 is an edit box for setting the name of a dividingtransmission button. The pull-down list box 502 is a list box forselecting the method of naming image data. From the pull-down list box502, the user can select one of “button name” and “date”. In a casewhere the user selects “button name”, the name set in the input field501 is reflected on the data name of the image data. In a case where theuser selects “date”, a date on which a document was read is reflected onthe data name of the image data.

In the transmission destination area 503, there is set a setting of astorage location of image data generated in accordance with depressionof the dividing transmission button. The transmission destination area503 is an editable text display area. The transmission destination area503 displays a folder path which is entered or a folder path indicatinga storage location selected via the selection button 504. The selectionbutton 504 is used for setting a folder serving as a storage location ofimage data, from an address book of the image forming apparatus 101.When the user selects the selection button 504, an address selectionscreen 600, described hereinafter with reference to FIG. 6 , isdisplayed on the display section of the PC 104.

In the error-time destination area 505, there is set a setting of astorage location of OCR error image data, which is image data with whichan OCR error occurred in the OCR processing. The error-time destinationarea 505 is an editable text display area. The error-time destinationarea 505 displays a folder path which is entered or a folder pathindicating a storage location selected via the selection button 506. Theselection button 506 is used for setting a folder serving as a storagelocation of OCR error image data, from the address book of the imageforming apparatus 101. When the user selects the selection button 506,the address selection screen 600 in FIG. 6 is displayed on the displaysection of the PC 104.

The pull-down list box 507 is an object for setting a predeterminedcondition for determining a storage location from a character stringobtained by the OCR processing, specifically, a type of the characterstring. The user can select, from the pull-down list box, one of “onlynumerals” and “alphanumeric characters”. In the present embodiment,image data from which no character string satisfying the conditionindicated by the setting of the pull-down list box 507 cannot beacquired by the OCR processing on an OCR area designated by the OCR areadesignation button 509 is treated as OCR error image data. The inputfield 508 is an object for setting a predetermined condition fordetermining a storage location from a character string obtained by theOCR processing, specifically, an upper limit of the number ofcharacters. The maximum number which can be set in the input field 508is e.g. “16”. In the present embodiment, image data from which acharacter string of characters exceeding in number the setting of theinput field 508 is obtained by the OCR processing on the OCR areadesignated by the OCR area designation button 509 is also treated as OCRerror image data.

The OCR area designation button 509 is used for designating an OCR areain image data where the OCR processing is to be performed. When the userselects the OCR area designation button 509, it is possible to designatea rectangular area indicating an OCR area. The reading settings button510 is used for setting scan settings. When the user selects the readingsettings button 510, a detailed settings screen (not shown) concerning ascan function is displayed on the display section of the PC 104.

The OK button 511 is used for finalizing the settings in the settingsedit screen 500. When the user selects the OK button 511, the settingsin the settings edit screen 500 are stored in the storage 504 asdividing scan settings data. The cancel button 512 is used for cancelingthe settings in the settings edit screen 500. When the user selects theOK button 511 or the cancel button 512, the settings edit screen 500displayed on the display section of the PC 104 is switched to themanagement screen 400.

FIG. 6 is a view showing an example of the address selection screen 600displayed on the display section of the PC 104 appearing in FIG. 1 . Theaddress selection screen 600 includes a pull-down list box 601, adisplay switching button 602, an area 603, a list 604, an OK button 605,and a cancel button 606.

The pull-down list box 601 is used for switching a type of an addressbook to be displayed on the address selection screen 600. The pull-downlist box 601 enables the user to select one of “best member” and“abbreviated dial” (not shown). The display switching button 602 is usedfor giving an instruction for changing the type of an address book to bedisplayed on the address selection screen 600 to a type selected fromthe pull-down list box 601, to the image forming apparatus 101.

The area 603 displays the name of the address book. The list 604displays an address list formed by the elements of selection, a number,a type, a name, and a destination. For the selection, there is displayedone of an active checkbox and a disactivated check box. For the number,a management number is displayed. For the type, an icon is displayedwhich varies with the type of an address. For the name, a name assignedto an address is displayed. For the destination, the address isdisplayed.

The description of display of an active checkbox and a disactivatedcheck box is supplemented. FIG. 6 shows an example of the display forselecting an address from the address book of “best member” in which twoaddresses of “E mail” and two addresses of “file” are registered, in astate in which “file transmission” is set as the transmission type 406of the management screen 400 in FIG. 4 . Thus, in the address selectionscreen 600, destinations compatible with the set transmission type areselectively displayed. Specifically, an active checkbox is displayed foreach of destinations assigned with the number “03” and the number “04”,which are compatible with the set transmission type. On the other hand,for each of destinations assigned with the number “01” and the number“02”, which are not compatible with the set transmission type, adisactivated checkbox is displayed. The OK button 605 is used forfinalizing the settings in the address selection screen 600. The cancelbutton 606 is used for canceling the settings in the address selectionscreen 600. When the user selects the OK button 605 or the cancel button606, the address selection screen 600 displayed on the display sectionof the PC 104 is switched to the settings edit screen 500. In thetransmission destination area 503 (or the error-time transmissiondestination area 505) of the settings edit screen 500 to which theaddress selection screen 600 is switched, the folder path correspondingto the settings in the address selection screen 600 is displayed.

To set a dividing transmission button, assuming, for example, that theuser selects the OK button 511 on the settings edit screen 500 in whichsettings concerning a dividing transmission button having the name of“medical interview sheet” are set as shown in FIG. 5 , the settings editscreen 500 displayed on the display section of the PC 104 is switched tothe management screen 400. As shown in FIG. 7 , in the buttoninformation area 404 of the management screen 400 to which the settingsedit screen 500 is switched, information concerning the dividingtransmission button having the name of “medical interview sheet” isadded. Further, as shown in FIG. 8 , in the home screen 300 displayed onthe console section 206 of the image forming apparatus 101, a medicalinterview sheet 801 (object), which corresponds to the information addedto the button information area 404, is added. When the use depresses themedical interview button 801 on the home screen 300, the image formingapparatus 101 performs the dividing scan process shown in FIG. 9 basedon the dividing scan settings data associated with the medical interviewbutton 801.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart of the dividing scan control process performed bythe image forming apparatus 101 appearing in FIG. 1 . The dividing scancontrol process in FIG. 9 is realized by the CPU 201 executing a programloaded from the ROM 202 or the storage 204 into the RAM 203. Thedividing scan control process is executed when the user depresses adividing transmission button displayed on the home screen 300. In thepresent embodiment, it is assumed that folders where image data is to bestored are provided in the file server 102.

Referring to FIG. 9 , when the CPU 201 detects depression of a dividingscan transmission button on the home screen 300, e.g. depression of themedical interview button 801 (YES to the step S901), the CPU 201acquires dividing scan settings data of the medical interview button 801(step S902). The dividing scan settings data of the medical interviewbutton 801 includes a plurality of settings concerning the medicalinterview button 801 set on the settings edit screen 500. Then, the CPU201 controls the reader section 208 to read a document placed thereon(step S903) and thereby generate image data of the document (step S904).Then, the CPU 201 performs OCR processing on the generated image data(step S905). In the step S905, the CPU 201 performs the OCR processing,for example, an OCR area 1002, which is set in advance on the settingsread screen 500, of image data 1001 shown in FIG. 10A. In an exampleshown in FIG. 10A, a five-character string “12345”, which is formed onlyby five numerals. Then, the CPU 201 determines, based on the characterstring obtained by the OCR processing, whether or not the image datagenerated in the step S904 is OCR error image data (step S906).Specifically, the determination in the step S906 is performed bydetermining whether the character string obtained by the OCR processingsatisfies conditions indicated by the settings of the pull-down list box507 and the input field 508, included in the dividing scan settingsdata, e.g. conditions that the character string is formed by onlynumerals and that the number of characters of the character string iswithin the upper limit of 5. For example, in a case where the image data1001 shown in FIG. 10A is generated in the step S904, the characterstring “12345” is obtained from the OCR area 1002 of the image data 1001in the step S905. The character string “12345” satisfies the conditionsthat the character string is formed by only numerals and that the numberof characters of the character string is within the upper limit of 5,the CPU 201 determines that the image data generated in the step 904 isnot OCR error image data. On the other hand, in a case where image data1003 shown in FIG. 10B is generated in the step S904, the characterstring “AAA” is obtained from an OCR area 1004 of the image data 1003 inthe step S905. The character string “AAA” does not satisfy theconditions that the character string is formed by only numerals and thatthe number of characters of the character string is within the upperlimit of 5, the CPU 201 determines that the image data generated in thestep 904 is OCR error image data.

If it is determined that the image data generated in the step 904 is notOCR error image data, the CPU 201 transmits the image data to the fileserver 102. Specifically, the CPU 201 sets a folder determined based onthe dividing scan settings data and the character string obtained by theOCR processing, as the storage location, and transmits the image data tothe folder (step S907). For example, the CPU 201 transmits the imagedata to the file server 102 so as to store the image data in one offolders 1102 a to 1102 c, appearing in FIG. 11 , which are subordinateto the folder 1101 indicated by the setting of the transmissiondestination area 503 included in the dividing scan settings data, i.e. afolder 1102 a having the folder name of “12345” which is a characterstring obtained by the OCR processing. While the image data is beingtransmitted in the step S907, a notification screen 1200 shown in FIG.12A is displayed on the console section 206. The notification screen1200 includes a preview image 1201, a folder path 1202, and a data name1203. The preview image 1201 is a RAW image for liquid crystal display,which is converted from read image data of a document. The folder path1202 indicates a storage location of the image data. In FIG. 12A, as thefolder path 1202, there is displayed a folder path having a name formedby combining the setting “¥¥file server¥medical interview sheet” of thetransmission destination area 503 included in the dividing scan settingsdata and “12345” which is a character string obtained from the OCR area.The data name 1203 is a data name of the image data. When thetransmission of the image data is completed, the CPU 201 closes thenotification screen 1200 and terminates the present process.

If it is determined in the step S906 that the image data generated inthe step 904 is OCR error image data, the CPU 201 determines whetherthere has already been set a storage location of the OCR error data item(step S908). In the step S908, for example, if the dividing scansettings data includes a setting of the error-time transmission area505, the CPU 201 determines that there has already been set a storagelocation of the OCR error image data. On the other hand, if the dividingscan settings data includes no setting of the error-time transmissionarea 505, the CPU 201 determines that there has been set no storagelocation of the OCR error image data.

If it is determined in the step S908 that there has already been set astorage location of the OCR error image data, the CPU 201 transmits theimage data to the file server 102. Specifically, the CPU 201 transmitsimage data to the file server 102 so as to store the image data in astorage location which is a folder indicated by the setting of theerror-time transmission area 505 included in the dividing scan settingsdata (step S909) (operation of a storage control unit). In the stepS909, for example, the CPU 201 transmits the image data to the filerserver 102 so as to store the image data a folder 1103 appearing in FIG.11 , as the storage location indicated by the setting of the error-timetransmission area 505 included in the dividing scan settings data. Whilethe image data is being transmitted, a notification screen 1204 shown inFIG. 12B is displayed on the console section 206. The notificationscreen 1204 includes a preview screen 1205, a folder path 1206, and adata name 1207. The preview image 1205 is a RAW image for liquid crystaldisplay, which is converted from read image data of a document. Thefolder path 1206 is a storage location of the image data transmitted inthe step S909. In FIG. 12B, as the folder path 1206, there is displayeda folder path having a name formed by the setting “Wfile serverYerrorimagamedical interview sheet” of the error-time transmission destinationarea 505 included in the dividing scan settings data. The data name 1207is a data name of the image data. When the transmission of the imagedata is completed, the CPU 201 closes the notification screen 1204,followed by terminating the present process.

If it is determined in the S908 that there has been set no storagelocation of OCR error image data, the CPU 201 transmits the image datato the file server 102 so as to store the image data in a storagelocation which is set to a designated folder different from the folderdesignated in the step S909 (step S910), followed by terminating thepresent process. The file server 102 having received the image datastores the image data in the designated folder. As described above, thefile server 102 stores, for example, image data which is not OCR errorimage data in one of the folder 1102 a to 1102 c subordinate to thefolder 1101 designated by the setting of the transmission destinationarea 503 included in the dividing scan settings data, i.e. the folder1102 a having a folder name of “12345” which is the character stringobtained by OCR processing. Further, the file server 102 stores OCRerror image data in the folder 1103 indicated by the setting of theerror-time transmission destination area 505 included in the dividingscan settings data. If the designated folder does not exist, the filerserver 102 creates a designated folder and stores the image data in thedesignated folder.

According to the embodiment described above, in a case where image datagenerated according to depression of the medical interview button 801 isOCR error image data, the image data is stored in a folder indicated bythe setting of the error-time transmission destination area 505 includedin the dividing scan settings data of the medical interview button 801.In other words, a different folder is set as a storage location of OCRerror image data, on a dividing transmission button basis. This makes itpossible to put OCR error image data in order, by dividing them betweenrespective folders associated with dividing transmission buttons, whichmakes it possible to reduce user time and effort in checking OCR errorimage data.

Further, in the embodiment described above, the folder indicated by thesetting of the error-time transmission destination area 505 included inthe dividing scan settings data is provided in the file server 102. Thismakes it possible to reduce user time and effort in checking OCR errorimage data, in an environment in which OCR error image data is stored inthe filer 102.

Although the present invention has been described heretofore based onthe embodiment, the invention is by no means limited to the embodimentdescribed above. For example, the management screen 400, the settingsedit screen 500, and the address selection screen 600 may be displayedon the console section 206 of the image forming apparatus 101.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, in a case where the imagedata generated in the step S904 is an OCR error data item, an errornotification notifying the user of details of an error may betransmitted.

FIG. 13 is a view showing another example of the settings edit screen,denoted by reference numeral 1300, which is displayed on the displaysection of the PC 104 appearing in FIG. 1 . The settings edit screen1300 includes, in addition to the items of the settings edit screen 500,an error notification transmission destination area 1301 and a selectionbutton 1302. In the error notification transmission destination area1301, there is set a setting of a transmission destination (notificationdestination) of an error notification in a case where image datagenerated in the step S904 is OCR error image data. In the errornotification transmission destination area 1301, there is displayed anentered E-mail address or an E-mail address selected via the selectionbutton 1302, which indicates a transmission destination. The selectionbutton 1302 is used for setting an E-mail address indicating thetransmission destination of an error notification, by selection from theaddress book of the image forming apparatus 101. When the user selectsthe selection button 1302, the address selection screen 600 shown inFIG. 6 is displayed on the PC 104.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart of a variation of the dividing scan controlprocess shown in FIG. 9 , which is performed in a case where a dividingtransmission button, which is depressed, was set using the settings editscreen 1300. The dividing scan control process shown in FIG. 14 as wellis executed by the CPU 201 loading a program from the ROM 202 or thestorage 204 into the RAM 203, and is executed when the user depressesthe dividing transmission button displayed in the home screen 300. Inthe dividing scan control process shown in FIG. 14 as well, it isassumed that folders for storing image data is provided in the fileserver 102.

In FIG. 14 , the CPU 201 executes the steps S901 to S910. When theprocessing in the step S909 or the step S910 is completed, the CPU 201determines whether or not there has already been set a notificationdestination of an error notification (step S1401). In the step S1401, ifthe setting of the error notification transmission destination area 1301is included in the acquired dividing scan settings data, the CPU 201determines that there has already been set a transmission destination ofthe error notification. On the other, if no setting of the errornotification transmission destination area 1301 is included in theacquired dividing scan settings data, the CPU 201 determines that therehas been set no transmission destination of the error notification.

If it is determined in the step S1401 that here has already been set atransmission destination of the error notification, the CPU 201transmits the error notification to the transmission destinationindicated by the setting of the error notification transmissiondestination area 1301 (step S1402) and terminates the present process.If is determined in the step S1401 that here has been set notransmission destination of the error notification, the CPU 201terminates the present process without transmitting the errornotification.

In the embodiment described above, in a case where image data is OCRerror image data, an error notification is transmitted to a transmissiondestination indicated by the setting of the error notificationtransmission destination area 1301 included in the dividing scansettings data. This enables the user to easily grasp details of an OCRerror.

In the embodiment described above, OCR error image data may be stored ina folder subordinate to the folder indicated by the setting of theerror-time transmission destination 505.

FIG. 15 is a view showing a still another example of the settings editscreen, denoted by reference numeral 1500, which is displayed on thedisplay section of the PC 104 appearing in FIG. 1 . The settings editscreen 1500 includes, in addition to the items of the settings editscreen 1300 shown in FIG. 13 , a pull-down list box 1501. The pull-downlist box 1501 is a list box for making a setting of a folder subordinateto the folder indicated by the setting of the error-time transmissiondestination area 505. From the pull-down list box 1501, it is possibleto select one of “not create”, “login user name”, and “date”. In a casewhere the user selects “not create”, an OCR error image data is storedin the folder indicated by the setting of the error-time transmissiondestination area 505 included in the dividing scan settings data. In acase where the user selects “login user name”, the OCR error image datais stored in a folder subordinate to the folder indicated by the settingof the error-time transmission destination area 505 included in thedividing scan settings data and having a folder name of a characterstring indicating a user who logged into the image forming apparatus101. In a case where the user selects “date”, the OCR error image datais stored in a folder subordinate to the folder indicated by the settingof the error-time transmission destination area 505 included in thedividing scan settings data and having a folder name of a date on whicha document was read.

For example, a description is given of a case where a user who loggedinto the image forming apparatus 101 using a user name “Sato” hasdepressed the medical interview sheet button 801 associated withdividing scan settings data including “login user name” as the settingof the pull-down list box 1501. OCR error image data generated this timeis stored in a folder 1601, appearing in FIG. 16 , which is subordinateto the folder 1103 indicated by the setting of the error-timetransmission destination area 505 included in the dividing scan settingsdata of the medical interview sheet button 801 and has a folder name“Sato”.

Further, OCR error image data generated when a user who logged into theimage forming apparatus 101 as a guest user has depressed the medicalinterview sheet button 801 is stored in a folder 1602, appearing in FIG.16 , which is subordinate to the folder 1103 and has a folder name“Guest”

In the embodiment described above, in a case where image data is OCRerror image data, the image data is stored in a folder subordinate tothe folder indicated by the setting of the error-time transmissiondestination area 505 included in the dividing scan settings data andhaving a specific name associated with the setting of the pull-down listbox 1501. The specific name is a character string indicating a user whologged into the image forming apparatus 101. This makes it possible tosuppress image data generated in response to an instruction by adifferent user from being mixedly stored in the folder where OCR errorimage data by one user is stored.

Further, in the embodiment described above, the specific name is acharacter string indicating the date on which a document was read. Thismakes it possible to suppress image data generated on a different datefrom being mixedly stored in a folder where OCR error data itemsgenerated on one data are stored.

Further, in the embodiment described above, image data which is not OCRerror image data and OCR error image data are transmitted to respectivedifferent servers.

Although in the embodiment described above, folders where image data isstored are provided in the file server 102, this is not limitative, but,for example, the folders where image data is stored may be provided inthe image forming apparatus 101. This makes it possible, under anenvironment in which image data is managed in the image formingapparatus 101, to reduce user time and effort in checking the OCR errorimage data.

In the embodiment described above, it is preferable that the name of afolder indicated by the setting of the error-time transmissiondestination area 505 included in the diving scan settings data includesa character string indicating an OCR error having occurred in the OCRprocessing. For example, the name of a folder wherein OCR error imagedata which does not satisfy the condition of the input field 508included in the dividing scan settings data is set to “medical interviewsheet_character number error”. This makes it possible to easily knowdetails of an OCR error from the name of a folder where OCR error imagedata is stored.

Further, in the embodiment described above, the name of a folder whereOCR error image data is to be stored may be determined by the imageforming apparatus.

OTHER EMBODIMENTS

Embodiment(s) of the present invention can also be realized by acomputer of a system or apparatus that reads out and executes computerexecutable instructions (e.g., one or more programs) recorded on astorage medium (which may also be referred to more fully as a‘non-transitory computer-readable storage medium’) to perform thefunctions of one or more of the above-described embodiment(s) and/orthat includes one or more circuits (e.g., application specificintegrated circuit (ASIC)) for performing the functions of one or moreof the above-described embodiment(s), and by a method performed by thecomputer of the system or apparatus by, for example, reading out andexecuting the computer executable instructions from the storage mediumto perform the functions of one or more of the above-describedembodiment(s) and/or controlling the one or more circuits to perform thefunctions of one or more of the above-described embodiment(s). Thecomputer may comprise one or more processors (e.g., central processingunit (CPU), micro processing unit (MPU)) and may include a network ofseparate computers or separate processors to read out and execute thecomputer executable instructions. The computer executable instructionsmay be provided to the computer, for example, from a network or thestorage medium. The storage medium may include, for example, one or moreof a hard disk, a random-access memory (RAM), a read only memory (ROM),a storage of distributed computing systems, an optical disk (such as acompact disc (CD), digital versatile disc (DVD), or Blu-ray Disc (BD)™),a flash memory device, a memory card, and the like.

While the present invention has been described with reference toexemplary embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is notlimited to the disclosed exemplary embodiments. The scope of thefollowing claims is to be accorded the broadest interpretation so as toencompass all such modifications and equivalent structures andfunctions.

This application claims the benefit of Japanese Patent Application No.2019-132794 filed Jul. 18, 2019, which is hereby incorporated byreference herein in its entirety.

What is claimed is:
 1. An image processing system that performs OCRprocessing on an image data generated by an image forming apparatus by auser and stores, in response to selection of an object, the image datain a folder having a folder name formed by using a character stringobtained by the OCR processing, comprising a storage control unitconfigured to store the image data, in a case where the character stringobtained by performing the OCR processing on the generated image datadoes not satisfy a predetermined condition, in a folder associated withthe object.